To them, the circumstances under which Whitman was finally felled perfectly illustrates the argument of many gun-rights advocates – and one which Donald Trump has frequently articulated – that mass shootings would not happen, or would claim fewer victims, if more ordinary citizens were armed and could therefore defend themselves.
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“You’re not gonna be seeing handguns on campus anymore today than you did yesterday”, said Watts.
UH chief of police held a press conference Monday morning to explain what this will look like.
Texas has more than 1 million concealed handgun license holders. To get one, a person must be at least 21 (18 if in the military) and pass both classroom and gun range training courses. However, mentally deranged people, convicted felons, and individuals facing felony charges and grievous misdemeanors are restricted.
Texas has allowed concealed handguns in public for 20 years. The University of Texas at Austin estimates less than one percent of students fall into that category. According to the AP, there is an exception on the room restriction for visiting family members who are licensed to carry. Guns will be allowed in dining halls and common areas at UT Austin, with professors given the freedom to ban guns in their classrooms. However, there are certain areas of ASU that will remain gun-free, such as sporting event arenas, the counseling center and laboratories with certain chemicals, among others. Kim Pope, a history major, questioned the need for guns on such a small campus like Texas A&M-Central Texas. University of Texas professors lobbied against the law, saying that allowing young people to carry guns on campuses could have deadly consequences.
A new state law went into effect that allows students with concealed carry licenses to bring their guns onto most college campuses.
Other students are less optimistic.
Campus carry at public four-year universities is just the start.
Some academics have argued that the law which took effect on Monday will also lead to a curtailment of free speech because students with guns could create an intimidating atmosphere which might suppress the open exchange of ideas. The shooter, Charles Whitman, a Marine-trained 25-year-old engineering student, climbed to the 28th-floor observation deck of a campus clock tower and began firing on students and staff.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott supports the law as a way to ensure a mass shooting is curtailed before much bloodshed occurs.
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“We did a lot of research into this and the other states who have gone through this transition, there really haven’t been any issues”, said Micheal Knox, the VP of Student Affairs. She was pregnant and was shot through the belly, killing her unborn child.
